This beautiful camp truly embodies the motto "God's Backyard," and has since ~1947. Camp McDowell…read moreis a ministry of the Episcopal Churches in the Diocese of Alabama and is open to all! With over 1,140 acres and 834 beds, McDowell is one of the largest Episcopal Camp and Conference Centers in the U.S. It borders the edge of the Bankhead National Forest in Winston County, Alabama, and consists of breathtaking canyons, waterfalls, forests, and is known as the "Beautiful Queen of Clear Creek."
Lodging ranges from group cabins such as Martha's Cabin, to the rustic cabins on the "boy's side" of camp beside the steps down to Clear Creek, to the hotel-style double rooms at Miller's Commons and the even bigger, newer cabins at Bethany Village.
Camp is home to a wide range of programs year-round! Our Episcopal Diocesan Council meeting is held here every Feb., and is attended by over 400 delegates, and the dedicated staff runs the entire 4+ day event better than a well-oiled machine! There are live music performances, "special session" camp weeks for those who are differently abled, various church's retreats and learning opportunities at "Mark's Farm."
Amenities include a camp store, a swimming pool, a covered basketball/gym with a stage, where we used to hold camp dances, at least one full service commercial kitchen, outdoor grills, a soccer field, tons of hiking trails, two chapels, a beautiful old bell that would be rung every morning around 0600 when I was a "midget camper," a multi-purpose field, an art studio, a fully functional animal farm, a produce farm, a nature center a welcome center, softball field, rowboats and canoes, among many, many more. There are also challenge ropes/obstacle courses, an amphitheater, picnic tables, various playgrounds, fire pits, word burning fireplaces with cut wood available to burn, and a fully accessible St John's swimming pool complex in Bethany Village!
Dining is available at Stough Hall, served family style, or more often, buffet style. Doug Carpenter Dining Hall in Bethany Village would be lovely for a wedding reception and can seat 500-700 based on the table configuration. Eppes Hall is where we grew up eating and can seat up to 200 people. Again, grills, and covered grill areas are sprinkled throughout camp. Also, common use refrigerators are available, especially in the lodging in Miller's Commons.
Among the biggest draws at camp are the swinging bridge over Clear Creek and the beautiful cross, and the fun short hike to arrive at the base of the cross!
There truly is something for everyone at Camp McDowell. I highly recommend the camp for attending group sessions in the summertime, or renting whatever type of facility you desire for a best friend's/girl's getaway weekend, the lodging on All Saint's Road is primarily 4 double rooms that share a common living room/full-service, fully stocked kitchen with refrigerator, fireplace, and beautiful large back porches with rocking chairs. If you get the opportunity to visit Camp McDowell absolutely do! If you would like to send a person to summer camp, nearly all, if not all Episcopal Church's in AL offer scholarships - that's how I got to go to my first summer camp at Camp McDowell, thanks to my church at the time, The Church of the Nativity in Huntsville, AL!
